Gaming system and a method of gaming

ABSTRACT

A gaming system is disclosed which includes a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions, an outcome evaluator arranged to determine whether the selected symbols correspond to a winning outcome, and a replicator arranged to replicate a symbol aspect when a winning outcome occurs such that all symbols forming part of the winning outcome acquire the symbol aspect. The system is arranged so as to retain the replicated symbol aspect until after at least one subsequent selection of symbols. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority to AustralianProvisional Patent Application No. 2008902575, filed on May 23, 2008,entitled “A GAMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF GAMING”, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a gaming system and to a method ofgaming.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide a gaming system which comprises a game controllerarranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set ofsymbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win based on thedisplayed symbols. In some arrangements, a win outcome is defined on thebasis of occurrence of symbols along defined win lines which may bepreselected or selected by a player prior to display of symbols by thegaming system.

Such gaming systems may commonly be implemented as a stepper machineprovided with reels with each reel carrying several symbols of the set,or a video machine wherein selected symbols are displayed on virtualreels on a graphical display device.

However, while such gaming systems provide users with enjoyment, a needexists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increaseplayer enjoyment.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a gaming system including:

a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for displayat a plurality of display positions;

an outcome evaluator arranged to determine whether the selected symbolscorrespond to a winning outcome; and

a replicator arranged to replicate a symbol aspect when a winningoutcome occurs such that all symbols forming part of the winning outcomeacquire the symbol aspect;

the system being arranged so as to retain the replicated symbol aspectuntil after at least one subsequent selection of symbols.

In one embodiment, the symbol aspect is a representation of a symbolwhich may be displayed at one of the display positions.

In an alternative embodiment, the symbol aspect is a function associatedwith a symbol which may be displayed at one of the display positions.

In one embodiment, the replicator is arranged to replicate a symbolaspect when a winning outcome including at least one special symbol andat least one other symbol occurs. The symbol aspect may be arepresentation of the special symbol or a function associated with thespecial symbol.

The special symbol may be a WILD symbol or a symbol having an associatedWILD function.

In one arrangement, the winning combination which causes replications tooccur is any winning combination.

Alternatively, the winning combination which causes replications tooccur is one or more specific winning combinations.

Alternatively, the gaming system may be arranged to randomly select, orto facilitate selection by a player of one or more specific winningcombinations, or winning combinations including a specific randomly orplayer selected symbol, and the replicator is caused to replicate anaspect of a symbol when the specific winning outcome occurs or a winningoutcome including the selected symbol occurs.

In one embodiment, the replicator is caused to replicate an aspect of asymbol when a winning outcome occurs in conjunction with a game event,which may be a simultaneously occurring secondary winning outcome,occurrence of a specific symbol in the display area, or any other gameevent.

Alternatively, the gaming system is arranged to randomly select, or tofacilitate selection by a player of one or more win lines, and thereplicator arranged to replicate a symbol aspect only if a winningcombination appears on a selected win line.

In one embodiment, the symbols which have acquired the symbol aspectthemselves become special symbols in a subsequent game.

The gaming system may further include a prize allocator arranged toallocate a prize to a player when a winning outcome exists.

The gaming system may be arranged to operate in normal game mode whereinat least one base game is implemented and special game mode wherein atleast one feature game is implemented.

The gaming system may be arranged to commence special game mode when aspecific game outcome occurs.

In addition or alternatively, the gaming system may be arranged tocommence special game mode on the basis of a game event occurring duringa game such as display of a particular symbol, in response to playerinput, based on the amount or type of bet placed, or when a special gameis purchased by a player.

The gaming system may be implemented as a stand alone gaming machine oracross a network.

In one embodiment, one or more of the symbol selector, win replicator,prize allocator and the outcome evaluator is constituted, at least inpart, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.

In one embodiment, the gaming system includes a game play mechanismoperable to place a wager and the outcome evaluator evaluates theoutcome based on the wager.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of gaming including:

selecting a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of displaypositions;

determining whether the selected symbols correspond to a winningoutcome;

replicating a symbol aspect when a winning outcome occurs such that allsymbols forming part of the winning outcome acquire the symbol aspect;and

retaining the replicated symbol aspect until after at least onesubsequent selection of symbols.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a computer program arranged when loaded into a computer toinstruct the computer to operate in accordance with a gaming systemincluding:

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a computer readable medium having computer readable programcode embodied therein for causing a computer to operate in accordancewith a gaming system including:

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there may beprovided a data signal having computer readable program code embodiedtherein for causing a computer to operate in accordance with a gamingsystem including:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of core components of a gamingsystem in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of functional components of a gamingsystem in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a gaming system in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention with the gaming systemimplemented in the form of a stand alone gaming machine;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of operative components of thegaming machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of components of a memory of thegaming machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a gaming system in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention with the gaming systemimplemented over a network;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating game play of a gaming system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8 to 12 are diagrammatic representations of example symbolsdisplayed by a gaming system in a display area in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention during implementation of a game; and

FIGS. 13 to 17 are diagrammatic representations of example symbolsdisplayed by a gaming system in a display area in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention during implementation ofa game.

Features, further aspects, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof,by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.Also, various embodiments of the aspects described in the precedingparagraphs will be apparent from the appended claims, the followingdescription and/or the accompanying drawings. It should be understood,however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangementsand instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

Although the following discloses example methods, systems, articles ofmanufacture, and apparatus including, among other components, softwareexecuted on hardware, it should be noted that such methods and apparatusare merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. Forexample, it is contemplated that any or all of these hardware andsoftware components could be embodied exclusively in hardware,exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combinationof hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the followingdescribes example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, andapparatus, the examples provided are not the only way to implement suchmethods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements is herebyexpressly defined to include a tangible medium such as a memory, DVD,CD, etc. storing the software and/or firmware.

The present gaming system operates such that during implementation of agame by the gaming system, a plurality of symbols are selected from aset of symbols for display in a display area, in the present embodimentby providing a plurality of symbol reels and spinning and subsequentlystopping the reels. If the symbols displayed in the display areacorrespond to a winning symbol combination, a prize is allocated to aplayer.

At least during some game implementations, when a particular winningoutcome occurs, such as an outcome including a special symbol and atleast one other symbol, a symbol aspect, which may be an aspect of thespecial symbol, is replicated such that each of the other symbolsacquires the aspect. The acquired aspect remains at least untilcompletion of a subsequent game so that the replicated aspect canpotentially influence the outcome of the subsequent game(s).

In one embodiment, the aspect is associated with the special symbol andthe aspect is a representation of a WILD symbol or is a WILD functionsuch that symbols which acquire the aspect also acquire the WILDfunction.

It will be understood that since the replicated aspect remains for atleast one subsequent game, the likelihood of the player obtaining awinning outcome potentially increases with each subsequent game and as aconsequence player enjoyment is enhanced.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a schematic block diagram of agaming system 10 arranged to implement a probabilistic game of the typewherein several symbols from a set of symbols are randomly displayed,and a game outcome is determined on the basis of the displayed symbols.The system may have a single mode of operation or may be of the typeincluding multiple game modes such as operable in normal game modewherein a base game is implemented and special game mode wherein afeature game is implemented.

With some such probabilistic games, the set of symbols used duringnormal game mode include standard symbols and function symbols, and thegame outcome is determined on the basis of the displayed standardsymbols and the function associated with any displayed function symbol.For example, standard symbols may resemble fruit such as apples, pearsand bananas with a win outcome being determined when a predeterminednumber of the same fruit appear on a display along a win line, or aredisplayed according to defined outcome patterns such as scattered, andso on. The function associated with a function symbol may be for examplea wild function wherein display of the function symbol is treated duringconsideration of the game outcome as any of the standard symbols. Afunction symbol may be represented as the word “WILD”, a star, or by anyother suitable word or symbol. Other functions are also envisaged suchas scatter functions, multiplier functions, repeat win functions,jackpot functions and feature commencement functions.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of core components of a gamingsystem 10 in accordance with the present embodiment is shown. The corecomponents include a player interface 30 and a game controller 32. Theplayer interface 30 is arranged to enable interaction between a playerand the gaming system and for this purpose includes input/outputcomponents for the player to enter instructions and play the game.

Components of the player interface 30 may vary but will typicallyinclude a credit mechanism 34 to enable a player to input credits andreceive payouts, one or more displays 36 which may include a touchscreen, and a game play mechanism 38 arranged to enable a player toinput game play instructions.

The game controller 32 is in data communication with the playerinterface 30 and typically includes a processor 40 arranged to processgame play instructions and output game player outcomes to the display36. Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code ina memory 42 that can also be hardwired. It will be understood that inthis specification the term “processor” is used to refer generically toany device that can process game play instructions and may include amicroprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or othercomputational device such as a personal computer or a server.

A functional diagram illustrating operative components of the gamecontroller 32 is shown in FIG. 2.

The memory 42 is arranged to store symbols data 14 indicative of aplurality of symbols, in the present example associated with a pluralityof reels, function data 16 indicative of one or more functionsallocatable to the symbols, and game instruction data 18 indicative ofgame instructions usable by the gaming machine 10 to control operationof the game.

The game controller 32 includes a symbol selector 20 which is arrangedto select several symbols from the available symbols 15 for display to aplayer in a plurality of display positions, in this example by spinningreels containing the symbols and stopping the reels so as to display atleast one symbol on each reel. In this example, the selection carriedout by the symbol selector 20 is made using a random number generator22. The selected symbols are communicated to a display controller 23which controls a display so that the selected symbols are displayed in adisplay area.

It will be appreciated that the random number generator 22 may be of atype which is arranged to generate pseudo random numbers based on a seednumber, and that in this specification the term “random” will beunderstood accordingly to mean truly random or pseudo random.

With this embodiment, the game controller 32 also includes a triggerdeterminer 24 arranged to determine whether a trigger condition existsand to cause the game controller 32 to implement special game mode whena trigger condition has been detected. Such a trigger condition may bedisplay of a particular symbol or combination of symbols.

During special game mode, a feature game is implemented which forexample is of a type wherein a player is provided with several freegames.

When special game mode is implemented the trigger determiner 24communicates that special game mode has commenced to the replicator 27.The replicator 27 then replicates an aspect of a symbol if a winningoutcome occurs, and in some embodiments if a special symbol appears inthe winning outcome. Replication is such that all symbols in the winningoutcome acquire the aspect. If any replications occur and if more gamesare to be implemented during special game mode, the replicator 27modifies the symbols 14 stored in the memory 42 so that symbols whichhave acquired the aspect are available for selection by the symbolselector 20 in subsequent games during special game mode. The replicator27 also communicates the replication(s) to the display controller 23which controls the display so that the replications are displayed in thedisplay area. In the present example, the replicated aspect is derivedfrom the special symbol, although it will be understood that thereplicated aspect may be predefined or derived from any other symbol.

The replicator may be caused to replicate an aspect of a symbol when awinning outcome occurs in conjunction with a game event, which may be asimultaneously occurring secondary winning outcome, occurrence of aspecific symbol in the display area, or any other game event.

The winning combination which causes replications to occur may be anywinning combination, may be one or more specific winning combinations,or the gaming system may be arranged to randomly select, or tofacilitate selection by a player of one or more specific wincombinations, or win combinations including a specific randomly orplayer selected symbol.

Alternatively, the gaming system may be arranged to randomly select, orto facilitate selection by a player of one or more win lines, and thereplicator arranged to replicate a symbol aspect only if a winningcombination appears on a selected win line.

In some embodiments, the symbols which have acquired the symbol aspectthemselves become special symbols in subsequent games during specialgame mode such that the new special symbols have the ability to triggerreplication of symbols in a winning outcome when the new special symbolappears in the winning outcome.

In this example, the game controller 32 also includes a functionallocator 26 arranged to select and allocate one or more functions toone or more symbols. Such functions include a wild function, a scatterfunction, or any other function which may be applied to a symbol or tothe game.

The game controller 32 also includes an outcome evaluator 28 which inaccordance with the game instructions 18 determines game outcomes basedon the symbols selected for display to the player by the symbol selector20 and during special game mode including any replications carried outby the replicator 27.

The game controller 32 also includes a prize allocator 29 arranged toallocate a prize to a player when a winning outcome exists, the type ofprize being dependent on the winning outcome.

Game outcomes may be evaluated by the outcome evaluator and prizesallocated if appropriate before any replications of the symbol aspectoccur, before and after any replications occur, or only afterreplications have occurred.

In the embodiments described below, the symbol selector 20, the displaycontroller 23, the trigger determiner 24, the replicator 27, thefunction allocator 26, the outcome evaluator 28, and the prize allocator29 are at least partly implemented using the processor 40 and associatedsoftware, although it will be understood that other implementations areenvisaged.

The gaming system 10 can take a number of different forms.

In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all ormost components to implement the game are present in a player operablegaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some ofthe components to implement the game are present in a player operablegaming device and some of the components to implement the game arelocated remotely relative to the gaming device. For example, a “thickclient” architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed ona player operable gaming terminal and part of the game is executedremotely, such as by a gaming server; or a “thin client” architecturemay be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by agaming server and a player operable gaming terminal is used only todisplay audible and/or visible gaming information to the player andreceive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged.For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming device isnetworked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gamingdevice and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example,the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thickclient” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played,operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent topersons skilled in the art.

A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 50 isillustrated in FIG. 3. The gaming machine 50 includes a console 52having a display 54 on which is displayed representations of a game 56that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 60 of the gaming machine 50houses a bank of buttons 62 for enabling a player to interact with thegaming machine, in particular during gameplay. The mid-trim 60 alsohouses a credit input mechanism 64 which in this example includes a coininput chute 64A and a bill collector 64B. Other credit input mechanismsmay also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smartcard, debit card or credit card.

A top box 66 may carry artwork 68, including for example pay tables anddetails of bonus awards and other information or images relating to thegame. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a frontpanel 69 of the console 52. A coin tray 70 is mounted beneath the frontpanel 69 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 50.

The display 54 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly acathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display 54 may be aliquid crystal display, plasma screen, or any other suitable videodisplay unit. The top box 66 may also include a display, for example avideo display unit, which may be of the same type as the display 54, orof a different type. The display 54 may include a touch screen usable bya player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during gameplay.

The display 54 in this example is arranged to display representations ofseveral reels, each reel of which has several associated symbols.Typically 3, 4 or 5 reels are provided. During operation of the game,the reels first appear to rotate then stop with typically three symbolsvisible on each reel. Game outcomes are determined on the basis of thevisible symbols together with any special functions associated with thesymbols.

A player marketing module (PMM) 72 having a display 74 is connected tothe gaming machine 50. The main purpose of the PMM 72 is to allow theplayer to interact with a player loyalty system. The PMM has a magneticcard reader for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, forexample as part of a loyalty program. However other reading devices maybe employed and the player tracking device may be in the form of a card,flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being readby the reading device. In this example, the PMM 62 is a Sentinel IIIdevice produced by Aristocrat Technologies Pty Ltd.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of operative components of a gaming device100 which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine shown inFIG. 3.

The gaming device 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 inaccordance with the present invention are stored in a memory 103 whichis in data communication with the processor 102.

Typically, the gaming device 100 will include both volatile andnon-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with suchmemories being collectively represented by the memory 103.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplarymemory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a massstorage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds programfiles for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or gamerelated code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to storegame programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/orauthenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

The gaming device has hardware meters 104 for purposes includingensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, aninput/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with a playerinterface 120 of the gaming device 100, the player interface 120 havingseveral peripheral devices. The input/output interface 105 and/or theperipheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory forstoring associated instructions and data for use with the input/outputinterface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral devices that communicatewith the game controller 101 include one or more displays 106, a touchscreen and/or bank of buttons 107, a card and/or ticket reader 108, aprinter 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 and a coinoutput mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be included as part of thegaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted based on the specificimplementation.

In addition, the gaming device 100 may include a communicationsinterface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, forexample, send status information, accounting information or otherinformation to a central controller, server or database and receive dataor commands from the central controller, server or database.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming device100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111 may be provided remotely from the gamecontroller 101.

FIG. 6 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternativeembodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which forexample may be an Ethernet network, a LAN or a WAN. In this example,three banks 203 of two gaming devices 202 are connected to the network201. The gaming devices 202 provide a player operable interface and maybe the same as the gaming machines 40,100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or mayhave simplified functionality depending on the rules, guidelines,preferences and/or requirements for implementing game play. While banks203 of two gaming devices are illustrated in FIG. 6, banks of one, threeor more gaming devices are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. Thedisplays 204 may, for example, be associated with one or more banks 203of gaming devices. The displays 204 may be used to displayrepresentations associated with game play on the gaming devices 202,and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional orinformational material.

In a thick client embodiment, a game server 205 implements part of thegame played by a player using a gaming device 202 and the gaming device202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the gameserver 205 and the gaming device 202 implement part of the game, theycollectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloadingor access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, ifthe gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, aJackpot server 207 will be provided to monitor and carry out the Jackpotgame.

In a variation of the above thick client embodiment, the gaming device202 is a gaming machine arranged to implement the game, with the gameserver 205 functioning merely to serve data indicative of a game to thegaming machine 202 for implementation.

With this implementation, a data signal containing a computer programusable by the gaming machine to implement the gaming system may betransferred from the game server to the client terminal, for example inresponse to a request by the gaming machine.

In a thin client embodiment, the game server 205 implements most or allof the game played by a player using a gaming terminal 202 and thegaming terminal 202 essentially provides only the player interface. Withthis embodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. Thegaming terminal will receive player instructions, and pass theinstructions to the game server which will process them and return gameplay outcomes to the gaming terminal for display. In a thin clientembodiment, the gaming terminal could be computer terminals, e.g. PCsrunning software that provides a player interface operable usingstandard computer input and output components.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration ofthe gaming system 200, including for example a gaming floor managementserver 208 and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licensesrelating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is providedto allow an administrator to monitor the network 201 and the devicesconnected to the network.

The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, otherlocal networks such as a corporate network, and/or a wide area networksuch as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.

A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with knowntechniques, functionality at the server side of the network may bedistributed over a plurality of different computers. For example,elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separateserver may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run arandom number generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random numbergenerator server could be provided.

Examples of specific implementations of the gaming system will now bedescribed in relation to a stand alone gaming machine 10, 40, 100although it will be understood that implementation may also be carriedout using other gaming system architectures such as a networkarchitecture of the type shown in FIG. 6.

In this example, the gaming system is operable in normal game mode andspecial game mode and the gaming system includes five reels, each ofwhich has an associated set of symbols.

The reels include standard symbols and optionally one or more functionsymbols and win outcomes are determined on the basis of the symbolsvisible at the display positions when the reels stop rotating.

Typically, a player will purchase or otherwise obtain win entitlementssuch as several win lines which are used in the game to determine winoutcomes. If the displayed symbols on the reels have symbols associatedwith a winning combination such as disposed on a win line, the playerwins a prize.

The gaming system may be arranged to commence special game mode when apredetermined game outcome occurs, and special game mode may include oneor more free games. Special game mode may commence automatically on thebasis of a game event occurring during a game such as display of aparticular symbol, based on game outcomes determined by the gamingsystem, or may be prompted by a player pressing a button on the gamingsystem 10, 40, 100 after the player has identified that a game outcomecorresponding to special game mode requirements has occurred.

The gaming system 10, 40, 100 may also be arranged so as to determineeligibility for special game mode, for example based on the amount ortype of bet placed, based on certain time periods and so on.

Special game mode may also be arranged to commence when a special gameis purchased by a player.

A specific example will now be described in relation to flow diagram 250shown in FIG. 7 which illustrates steps 252 to 264 of a method of gamingimplemented by the gaming system according to the present embodiment.

In this example, five virtual reels are provided and, as such,representations of the reels are displayed on a graphical display device44.

During implementation of a game, the reels are spun and subsequentlystopped in order to display a plurality of symbols in a display area, inthis example three symbols from each reel. If a trigger conditionexists, for example appearance of a particular combination of symbolssuch as a scattered combination of symbols, special game mode commenceswhich causes implementation of a special feature.

During special game mode, if a winning outcome occurs and a specialsymbol, in this example a WILD symbol, is present in the winningoutcome, all other symbols present in the winning outcome acquire asymbol aspect, in this example an aspect associated with the specialsymbol. For example, the other symbols may acquire a function associatedwith the special symbol or the other symbols may be substituted for asymbol corresponding to the special symbol. In one embodiment, thespecial symbol is a WILD symbol and accordingly a WILD function may beacquired by the other symbols in the winning outcome, or the othersymbols may be replaced by a WILD symbol.

In the example shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, a set of symbols is providedwhich includes normal symbols 302 and special symbols 304 which in thisexample are DOG symbols corresponding to a WILD function. Special gamemode is triggered by appearance of 3 scattered CAT symbols and duringspecial game mode 5 free games are implemented.

As shown in FIG. 8, after special game mode commences, the reels arespun and subsequently stopped to reveal a display area 300 includingnormal symbols 302 and a special symbol 304 in the from of a DOG symbol.The DOG symbol 304 corresponds to a WILD function, and accordingly thedisplayed symbols correspond to a winning outcome including 3 ACEsymbols on the top line. The player is awarded a prize according to awinning combination including 3 ACE symbols.

Since the special symbol 304 occurs in a winning combination, the othersymbols in the combination, that is the ACE symbols appearing on the topline in reels 1 and 2, acquire the WILD function associated with thespecial symbol. In this example, the ACE symbols are replaced with DOGsymbols to indicate that the WILD function has been acquired by thesymbol positions previously occupied by the ACE symbols.

The additional DOG symbols then remain and the reels spun andsubsequently stopped to reveal the symbols shown in display area 310shown in FIG. 9. However, no winning outcomes are present so no prizesare awarded to the player.

The reels are then spun again and subsequently stopped to reveal thesymbols shown in a display area 314 shown in FIG. 10. The displayedsymbols correspond to a winning outcome including 3 JACK symbols on thebottom line and a winning outcome including 3 KING symbols disposeddiagonally. The player is awarded a prize according to a winningcombination including 3 JACK symbols and 3 KING symbols.

Since the winning outcomes include a special symbol 304, the othersymbols in the winning combinations, that is the JACK symbols appearingon the bottom line in reels 1 and 2 and the KING symbols appearing inthe top line of reel 1 and the middle line of reel 2, acquire the WILDfunction associated with the special symbol. In this example, the JACKand KING symbols are replaced with DOG symbols to indicate that the WILDfunction has been acquired by the symbol positions previously occupiedby the JACK and KING symbols.

The additional DOG symbols then remain and the reels spun andsubsequently stopped to reveal the symbols shown in display area 320shown in FIG. 11. However, no winning outcomes are present so no prizesare awarded to the player.

The reels are then spun again and subsequently stopped to reveal thesymbols shown in a display area 324 shown in FIG. 12. The displayedsymbols correspond to a winning outcome including 3 QUEEN symbols on thetop line, 3 10 symbols on the middle line, 3 JACK symbols on the bottomline, 3 QUEEN symbols extending diagonally and 3 JACK symbols extendingdiagonally. The player is awarded a prize according to the winningcombinations. Since this is the last free game, no further normalsymbols are converted to DOG symbols.

The game then reverts to normal game mode and all converted symbolsrevert back to the original symbols.

In the example shown in FIGS. 13 to 17, a set of symbols is providedwhich includes normal symbols 302 and special symbols 304 which in thisexample are DOG symbols corresponding to a WILD function. As with theexample described in relation to FIGS. 8 to 12, special game mode istriggered by appearance of 3 scattered CAT symbols and during specialgame mode 5 free games are implemented.

Operation is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 in thatnormal symbols appearing in a winning combination including a specialsymbol 304 are converted to the special symbol and remain converted forthe remainder of special game mode. However, with this embodiment,winning outcomes occur when a specific number of symbols are disposedanywhere in defined win lines.

As shown in FIG. 13, after special game mode commences, the reels arespun and subsequently stopped to reveal a display area 400 includingnormal symbols 302 and a special symbol 304 in the form of a DOG symbol.The DOG symbol 304 corresponds to a WILD function, and accordingly thedisplayed symbols correspond to winning outcomes including 3 ACE symbolson the top line, 3 10 symbols extending diagonally and 3 JACK symbolsextending diagonally. The player is awarded a prize according to thewinning combinations.

Since the special symbol 304 occurs in all winning combinations, theother symbols in the combinations, that is the ACE symbols, the 10symbols and the JACK symbols appearing in the winning combinations,acquire the WILD function associated with the special symbol. In thisexample, the ACE, 10 and JACK symbols are replaced with DOG symbols toindicate that the WILD function has been acquired by the symbolpositions previously occupied by the symbols.

The additional DOG symbols then remain and the reels spun andsubsequently stopped to reveal the symbols shown in display area 410shown in FIG. 14. However, no winning outcomes are present so no prizesare awarded to the player.

The reels are then spun again and subsequently stopped to reveal thesymbols shown in display area 420 shown in FIG. 15. The displayedsymbols correspond to a winning outcome including 3 JACK symbols on thebottom line and a winning outcome including 4 KING symbols disposed in aV-shaped win line. The player is awarded a prize according to a winningcombination including 3 JACK symbols and 4 KING symbols.

Since the winning outcomes include a special symbol 304, the othersymbols contributing to the winning combinations, that is the JACKsymbols and the KING symbols contributing to the winning outcomeappearing on the bottom line in reels 1 and 2 and the KING symbolsappearing in the top line of reel 1 and the middle line of reel 2,acquire the WILD function associated with the special symbol. In thisexample, the JACK and KING symbols are replaced with DOG symbols toindicate that the WILD function has been acquired by the symbolpositions previously occupied by the JACK and KING symbols.

The additional DOG symbols then remain and the reels spun andsubsequently stopped to reveal the symbols shown in display area 430shown in FIG. 16. The displayed symbols correspond to a winning outcomeincluding 4 10 symbols. The player is awarded a prize according to awinning combination including 4 10 symbols.

Since the winning outcome includes a special symbol 304, the othersymbols contributing to the winning combination, that is the 10 symbolscontributing to the winning outcome, acquire the WILD functionassociated with the special symbol. In this example, the 10 symbols arereplaced with DOG symbols to indicate that the WILD function has beenacquired by the symbol positions previously occupied by the 10 symbols.

The reels are then spun again and subsequently stopped to reveal thesymbols shown in display area 440 shown in FIG. 17. The displayedsymbols correspond to a winning outcome including 3 QUEEN symbols, 3 10symbols and 3 KING symbols on the top line; 3 10 symbols, 3 9 symbolsand 3 JACK symbols on the middle line; 3 JACK symbols, 3 QUEEN symbolsand 3 ACE symbols on the bottom line; 3 QUEEN symbols, 3 9 symbols and 3KING symbols disposed in a V-shaped line; and 3 JACK symbols, 3 9symbols and 3 ACE symbols disposed in an inverted V-shaped line. Theplayer is awarded a prize according to the winning combinations. Sincethis is the last free game, no further normal symbols are converted toDOG symbols.

The game then reverts to normal game mode and all converted symbolsrevert back to the original symbols.

In the claims of this application and in the description of theinvention, except where the context indicates otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the words “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that thepublication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, inAustralia or any other country.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addresseeare deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown inthe specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive. Several embodiments are described above with reference tothe drawings. These drawings illustrate certain details of specificembodiments that implement the systems and methods and programs of thepresent invention. However, describing the invention with drawingsshould not be construed as imposing on the invention any limitationsassociated with features shown in the drawings. It will be understoodthat the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extendsto all alternative combinations of two or more of the individualfeatures mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of thesedifferent combinations constitute various alternative aspects of theinvention.

The present invention contemplates methods, systems and program productson any electronic device and/or machine-readable media suitable foraccomplishing its operations. Certain embodiments of the presentinvention may be implemented using an existing computer processor and/orby a special purpose computer processor incorporated for this or anotherpurpose or by a hardwired system, for example.

Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include programproducts comprising machine-readable media for carrying or havingmachine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Suchmachine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with aprocessor. By way of example, such machine-readable media may compriseRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and whichcan be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer orother machine with a processor. When information is transferred orprovided over a network or another communications connection (eitherhardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to amachine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readablemedium. Thus, any such a connection is properly termed amachine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also includedwithin the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executableinstructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

1. A gaming system comprising: a symbol selector arranged to select aplurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions; anoutcome evaluator arranged to determine whether the selected symbolscorrespond to a winning outcome; and a replicator arranged to replicatea symbol aspect when a winning outcome occurs such that all symbolsforming part of the winning outcome acquire the symbol aspect; thesystem being arranged so as to retain the replicated symbol aspect untilafter at least one subsequent selection of symbols.
 2. A gaming systemas claimed in claim 1, wherein the symbol aspect is a representation ofa symbol.
 3. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the symbolaspect is a function associated with a symbol.
 4. A gaming system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the replicator is arranged to replicate asymbol aspect when a winning outcome including at least one specialsymbol and at least one other symbol occurs.
 5. A gaming system asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the symbol aspect is a representation of thespecial symbol.
 6. A gaming system as claimed in claim 4, wherein thesymbol aspect is a function associated with the special symbol.
 7. Agaming system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the special symbol is aWILD symbol or a symbol having an associated WILD function.
 8. A gamingsystem as claimed in claim 4, wherein a symbol which has acquired thesymbol aspect becomes a special symbol in a subsequent game.
 9. A gamingsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein the winning combination whichcauses replications to occur is any winning combination.
 10. A gamingsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein the winning combination whichcauses replications to occur is one or more specific winningcombinations.
 11. A gaming system as claimed in claim 10, wherein thegaming system is arranged to randomly select one or more specificwinning outcomes, and the replicator is caused to replicate an aspect ofa symbol when the or each selected winning outcome occurs.
 12. A gamingsystem as claimed in claim 10, wherein the gaming system is arranged tofacilitate selection by a player of one or more specific winningcombinations, and the replicator is caused to replicate an aspect of asymbol when the or each selected winning outcome occurs.
 13. A gamingsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein the replicator is arranged toreplicate a symbol aspect when a winning outcome including a specificrandomly selected symbol occurs.
 14. A gaming system as claimed in claim1, wherein the gaming system is arranged to facilitate selection by aplayer of a symbol, and the replicator is arranged to replicate a symbolaspect when a winning outcome including a player selected symbol occurs.15. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the replicator isarranged to replicate a symbol aspect when a winning outcome occurs inconjunction with a specific game event.
 16. A gaming system as claimedin claim 15, wherein the game event is a simultaneously occurringsecondary winning outcome.
 17. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15,wherein the game event is occurrence of a specific symbol in the displayarea.
 18. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gamingsystem is arranged to randomly select one or more win lines, and thereplicator is arranged to replicate a symbol aspect only if a winningcombination appears on a selected win line.
 19. A gaming system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming system is arranged to facilitateselection by a player of one or more win lines, and the replicatorarranged to replicate a symbol aspect only if a winning combinationappears on a selected win line.
 20. A gaming system as claimed in claim1, further comprising a prize allocator arranged to allocate a prize toa player when a winning outcome exists.
 21. A gaming system as claimedin claim 1, wherein the gaming system is arranged to operate in normalgame mode and special game mode; wherein during special game mode asymbol aspect is replicated when a winning outcome occurs such that allsymbols forming part of the winning outcome acquire the symbol aspect,and the replicated symbol aspect is retained until after at least onesubsequent selection of symbols.
 22. A gaming system as claimed in claim21, wherein the gaming system is arranged to commence special game modewhen a specific game outcome occurs.
 23. A gaming system as claimed inclaim 21, wherein the gaming system is arranged to commence special gamemode on the basis of a game event occurring during a game such asdisplay of a particular symbol, in response to player input, based onthe amount or type of bet placed, or when a special game is purchased bya player.
 24. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gamingsystem is implemented as a stand alone gaming machine or across anetwork.
 25. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a gameplay mechanism operable to place a wager and the outcome evaluatorevaluates the outcome based on the wager.
 26. A gaming system as claimedin claim 1, wherein the gaming system comprises a gaming machine.
 27. Agaming system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a gaming terminal and agaming server in networked communication with the gaming terminal.
 28. Amethod of gaming comprising: selecting a plurality of symbols fordisplay at a plurality of display positions; determining whether theselected symbols correspond to a winning outcome; replicating a symbolaspect when a winning outcome occurs such that all symbols forming partof the winning outcome acquire the symbol aspect; and retaining thereplicated symbol aspect until after at least one subsequent selectionof symbols.
 29. A method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the symbolaspect is a representation of a symbol.
 30. A method as claimed in claim28, wherein the symbol aspect is a function associated with a symbol.31. A method as claimed in claim 28, comprising replicating a symbolaspect when a winning outcome including at least one special symbol andat least one other symbol occurs.
 32. A method as claimed in claim 31,wherein the symbol aspect is a representation of the special symbol. 33.A method as claimed in claim 31, wherein the symbol aspect is a functionassociated with the special symbol.
 34. A method as claimed in claim 31,wherein the special symbol is a WILD symbol or a symbol having anassociated WILD function.
 35. A method as claimed in claim 31,comprising defining symbols which have acquired the symbol aspect asspecial symbols in a subsequent game.
 36. A method as claimed in claim28, comprising defining the winning combination which causesreplications to occur as any winning combination.
 37. A method asclaimed in claim 28, comprising defining the winning combination whichcauses replications to occur as one or more specific winningcombinations.
 38. A method as claimed in claim 37, comprising randomlyselecting one or more specific winning outcomes, and replicating anaspect of a symbol when the or each selected winning outcome occurs. 39.A method as claimed in claim 37, comprising facilitating selection by aplayer of one or more specific winning combinations, and replicating anaspect of a symbol when the or each selected winning outcome occurs. 40.A method as claimed in claim 28, comprising replicating a symbol aspectwhen a winning outcome including a specific randomly selected symboloccurs.
 41. A method as claimed in claim 28, wherein method is arrangedto facilitate selection by a player of a symbol, and the replicator isarranged to replicate a symbol aspect when a winning outcome including aplayer selected symbol occurs.
 42. A method as claimed in claim 28,comprising replicating a symbol aspect when a winning outcome occurs inconjunction with a specific game event.
 43. A method as claimed in claim42, wherein the game event is a simultaneously occurring secondarywinning outcome.
 44. A method as claimed in claim 42, wherein the gameevent is occurrence of a specific symbol in the display area.
 45. Amethod as claimed in claim 28, comprising randomly selecting one or morewin lines, and replicating a symbol aspect only if a winning combinationappears on a selected win line.
 46. A method as claimed in claim 28,comprising facilitating selection by a player of one or more win lines,and replicating a symbol aspect only if a winning combination appears ona selected win line.
 47. A method as claimed in claim 28, comprisingoperating in normal game mode and special game mode; wherein duringspecial game mode a symbol aspect is replicated when a winning outcomeoccurs such that all symbols forming part of the winning outcome acquirethe symbol aspect, and the replicated symbol aspect is retained untilafter at least one subsequent selection of symbols.
 48. A method asclaimed in claim 47, comprising commencing special game mode when aspecific game outcome occurs.
 49. A method as claimed in claim 47,comprising commencing special game mode on the basis of a game eventoccurring during a game such as display of a particular symbol, inresponse to player input, based on the amount or type of bet placed, orwhen a special game is purchased by a player.
 50. An article ofmanufacture comprising: a computer readable storage medium; andexecutable program instructions embodied in the computer readablestorage medium that when executed by a programmable system cause theprogrammable system to perform functions that implement a gaming system,the functions comprising: a symbol selector arranged to select aplurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions; anoutcome evaluator arranged to determine whether the selected symbolscorrespond to a winning outcome; and a replicator arranged to replicatea symbol aspect when a winning outcome occurs such that all symbolsforming part of the winning outcome acquire the symbol aspect; thesystem being arranged so as to retain the replicated symbol aspect untilafter at least one subsequent selection of symbols.